Edo State Police Command has arrested suspects in connection with the killing of some persons at a party in Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West Local Government, it was learnt.
It said the killings were cult-related.
Police spokesman DSP Chidi Nwabuzor said the killings were carried out by a rival gang.
Nwabuzor said two persons were killed; others sustained injuries.
However, witnesses said nine persons were killed at a graduation party by students of the state-owned institution, former Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma in Esan West.
Nwabuzor said the police had commenced investigation.
According to him, “there was a report of cult-related murder by a rival cult gang. Two persons were killed and others were injured.
“Some persons have been arrested and the police have started investigating.”
A female member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in Katsina State was among those killed by the suspected cultists.
It was learnt the corps member’s boyfriend was celebrating his graduation. A source said the boyfriend ran away on sighting the suspects.
He said they opened fire on the people, including the celebrator’s girlfriend.
However, unconfirmed sources said nine persons, including six final-year students of the university were killed at the party.
The party, they said, was held at Ihimudun road, Ekpoma in Esan West.
It was gathered some of the victims were former students while others just sat for their final exams.
Among the dead were a final-year medical student, Dr. Chibudom Einstein, and a son of ex-chairman of the council, who fought with another student over a girl.
It was gathered the other student angrily walked out of the party after his shirt got torn but returned with his friends and shot nine persons dead.
A professor, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed the incident but said it happened outside the campus.
But the university’s management said it was yet to identify those killed to ascertain whether or not they were students.
Dean of Students Affairs Prof Don Akhilomen said the shooting did not occur on campus.
He said: “We heard that some people were killed at Ihunmudumun area of town while at a graduation party. As at now, we are yet to identify those involved.
“Some may be our students, some might not be. So, we are still watching the situation’’.
